Driving

TradeSecrets

Hey,

Was recently out playing with a low handicapper (2) and he commented that my driver is too high of a degree for my swing. I have a Wilson Staff Db5 10.5 degree loft with a stiff shaft. He thinks I should be using a 9 degree. I have an official handicap of 18 but some days I can play to about 12/14. Is it true that only low handicappers should use low degree lofts?

Thanks for the help...
TS

stockdam

Why did he say that?

Unless your driving is excellent I'd stay away from low lofted drivers (although 9 deg isn't too bad). You'll be more consistent with more loft and in the long term will hit more fairways.

If you are hitting the ball too high with a 10.5 deg driver then maybe your technique needs to change rather than the loft.

TradeSecrets

I'm not 100% sure why he said that although I do tend to hit the ball high. I have attended Callaway Golf Demo nights in Stepaside and the golf pro started me off at 10.5 and by the end of it, I was hitting an 8 degree driver consistently around 300 yards.

You mentioned technique to change the height....What do you suggest ?

Mister Sifter

TradeSecrets wrote: »

I was hitting an 8 degree driver consistently around 300 yards.

If that's the case then i'd have ditched the 10.5 degree a long time ago and switched to 8 degree. Now, over to the usual suspects for the 'how far i can hit it' debate.

I don't really agree with Stockdam's point about changing technique though. If you generally drive the ball fairly well, I'd be more inclined to change lofts.

ShriekingSheet

1 - if you were to listen to every low single figure golfer's two-cents you'd be driven demented, seriously out of pocket and are just as likely to get worse as get better IMO.

2 - you won't drive the ball consistently 300 yards with any driver

3 - if you get lessons or have a club pro who knows your game in some way, any advice your considering would be best run by him. One informed advisor is the best way to go IMO.

stockdam

Graeme1982 wrote: »

If that's the case then i'd have ditched the 10.5 degree a long time ago and switched to 8 degree. Now, over to the usual suspects for the 'how far i can hit it' debate.

I don't really agree with Stockdam's point about changing technique though. If you generally drive the ball fairly well, I'd be more inclined to change lofts.

You're probably right Graeme. I was thinking that a high ball flight could be caused by adding loft (breaking the left wrist through impact)......but I'm not qualified to teach nor am I going to suggest silly ideas......better to go to a good pro who can advise.

Yes if you drive fairly well then your technique is probably ok. But I still would hesitate to go for 8 degrees unless your driving was very good. I had an 8 degree stiff shaft driver and when it was good it was good but I've changed to a 9.5 degree and am happier overall.

markie4

TradeSecrets wrote: »

Hey,

Was recently out playing with a low handicapper (2) and he commented that my driver is too high of a degree for my swing. I have a Wilson Staff Db5 10.5 degree loft with a stiff shaft. He thinks I should be using a 9 degree. I have an official handicap of 18 but some days I can play to about 12/14. Is it true that only low handicappers should use low degree lofts?

Thanks for the help...
TS

You should use whatever loft and shaft combination maximises/optimises you're launch angle. That might be 14 degree head with a low launch shaft, might be 8 degree with high launch, might be something inbetween. Take Shieking Sheets advice and try to get an informed opinion/fitting session done, otherwise you're fiddling in the dark and it can get even more expensive that way.

BTW it is said that most of us don't use enough loft in our drivers

fullstop

TradeSecrets wrote: »

I'm not 100% sure why he said that although I do tend to hit the ball high. I have attended Callaway Golf Demo nights in Stepaside and the golf pro started me off at 10.5 and by the end of it, I was hitting an 8 degree driver consistently around 300 yards.

You mentioned technique to change the height....What do you suggest ?

Another high handicapper hitting the ball consistently 300yards! Not likely. Try changing shaft flex instead of loft.

DIEGO WORST

I've seen 18+ handicappers smashing the ball mighty distances, not quite 300 yards, but far enough to have me scratching my head as to why they hit the ball so well and play off 18.

More loft on a driver usually means more forgiveness - less loft doesn't always equate to more distance. Its all down to launch angle, ball rotation rates and all that jazz that really gives me a headache.....

Best bet, in my opinion, is to demo a number of drivers at the range. You'll know which ones suit and which ones don't.

A lot of golf folk tend to equate handicap to a particular driver model. These days, some 20+ handicappers are hitting the ball as far as single digit players - it really is up to the individual as to what he/she feels best suits their game.

TradeSecrets

Thanks for all the advise.....At this stage, I would never go for an 8 degree loft. I would think the change would be too much too quick. My thoughts are to go for a 9/9.5 degree and no less

bouncie

whats that